After USC blew out San Jose State in the Trojans' opener, Jordan Campbell realized he had to say something.

So after the next USC practice, Campbell pulled Ken Norton Jr. aside and asked him a simple question: "Coach, why aren't I playing?"

"I just couldn't understand why I wasn't on the field," Campbell said. "He said I should be on the field and should be playing, but he wasn't sure that football was the No. 1 thing I was focused on."

Those questions appear to be all cleared up now, as Thursday, Pete Carroll said Campbell will make his first start for USC, replacing the injured Malcolm Smith at weakside linebacker. Shane Horton will also play.